Mr Sanders,
I am the last person you should jump about bashing BL for being cheap boats.
My apologies Eric, I didnt mean to jump you.
I do get defensive, and I have to admit, its easy to get defensive.
I know most of the bad points about the several models of Bayliners I've owned. I find it amazing that nobody seems to pick up on the actual bad points, they just make things up. We all probably know the bad points about the boats we own. Thats the stuff that frustrates us.
I know my boat is not a caddilac, or a Mercedes, for comaprison sake. Its a ford. It is not luxurious. In terms of fit and finish to be honest its about on par with my working mans house. It has nice woodwork, but not as nice as some boats I've seen. Its a good all around functional boat.
What I heard today. What my eyes saw, and what I took away was that a fancier boat is more comfortable in wet weather. I should not have even commented. Thats so far from the truth as to be a non issue.
Would I like a fancier boat? Yea, maybe. But I feel pretty darn fortunate to have been able to buy the boats that I have had. I'm a working man. I work with my mind and my hands, but I wear boots to work. Sometimes I get dirty. Sometimes I get cold. I would have never dreamed, in all my wildest dreams that someday I'd own a big yacht. Never dreamed it. Yes, I am very fortunate. Blessed.
So, when I hear people slam something I never dreamed I'd be able to own, like it was beneath them, or like the case today just a little slam, not really much at all, Yes, I get defensive.
Todays comment was really not a big deal. Just a tiny little comment. I've heard worse, so much worse on internet forums. I just wish that people would be realistic in their comments. More expensive boats are prettier, and shinier. They are not in general more comfortable (assuming the same configuration), or more seaworthy, or more anything. They are prettier, and shinier.
A $100K fish boat conversion is just as seaworthy as the finest Nordhavn. Just like a Bayliner is just as much a coastal cruiser as any other coastal cruiser.
So, thanks for your patience and nice comments Eric. And again, my apologies.